A LIVERPOOL born grandfather who was shot dead on his bike by gunman Derrick Bird was laid to rest – to the sound of John Lennon’s Imagine.

The ex-Beatle’s hit – that speaks of “above us only sky” – rang out at the funeral of humanist Mike Pike, 64.

Mr Pike, a former shipbuilder from Garston, was killed in Seascale two weeks ago.

Yesterday friends and family gathered at Distington Crematorium to celebrate his life. His widow Sheena, to whom he was married for 42 years, paid tribute to the former Sellafield shop steward and foreman, saying: “He had a happy retirement, walking, cycling and playing with his model railway, and was very happy and contented right up to the moment of his death.

“I take great comfort from his swift but too early end and celebrate a life lived to the full.

“He was a clever, loquacious, loving man. A loyal and loving husband, father and grandfather. Thank you Mike for all you gave us; you were very loved and will be missed.”

Mr Pike’s two children Jason, 39, and Jade, 38, also paid tribute. Jade read the AA Milne poem The Train, which she said reminded her of him.

She also introduced the Beatles song When I’m 64, which was played because Mr Pike loved it and was proud of being that age. The family said they wanted to focus on the happy times and Mr Pike’s achievements.

Jason added: From my childhood I remember that while my father worked hard to provide for our family he valued his free time and wanted as much as possible to spend it with us.”

“I have fond memories of him playing at being animals with us, especially lions, and of him taking us out, for example to our swimming club, or on many picnics in the car.

“I only vaguely remember sitting on his last motorbike while it was standing on our garden path; he sold it because a car would be more use to the family.

“Thanks to him I have the experience to walk with confidence in the mountains because they have become so familiar. At times we walked in silence, each enjoying the views or our own thoughts, and at times we had long conversations which moved from topic to related topic, until we hardly remembered the beginning.”, especially when he was studying philosophy and psychology, which fascinated me too.

I remember whenever I was coming home to Cumbria, or coming home to Britain, he usually wanted to give me a lift, or give lifts to other people, still looking after me when I was already a man and even after he had grown old.

“And perhaps because he had every reason to be satisfied with his achievements, he was perfectly happy to say that he was old.

“Dad was never grudging about any help he could give his children; I seldom had to ask for anything.”

Humanist minister Jan Dunckley said: “Mike was a happy and fulfilled man at peace with the world. He would have been delighted at the number of people who have taken the time to write or phone.”